Across the DC metro area, there are plenty of family-friendly Valentine’s Day events and activities designed with kids, tweens, and teens in mind. From creative workshops and themed outings to low-key experiences that celebrate love, kindness, and connection, this guide highlights fun and age-appropriate ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day across DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about candy and classroom cards! It’s a great opportunity for families to spend quality time together. I added some self-care recommendations towards the bottom of this that you can visit year round.
Notes: Make sure to click the links for the most up-to-date event info. No affiliate links have been added to this blog.
Bookmark this blog – it’ll be updated from year to year!
In this blog...
2/7 at 9:00 am | Create a Penguin Mailbox at Home Depot
2/21 at 10:00 am | Make a Birdhouse at Lowe's
Washington, DC Events
- Wednesdays in February | Celebrate National Chocolate Month at Benning Neighborhood Library
- Wednesday (2/11) at 2:00 pm | Valen-TINY Mammals on Zoom hosted by Smithsonian’s National Zoo (Best for ages 0-5)
- Up-close look at mammal traits from some cute and tiny zoo animals.
- Wednesday (2/11) at 4:00 pm | Valentine Craft Night at Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library in NE (Best for ages 2-12)
- Thursday (2/12) at 4:00 pm | Valentines Crafting at Deanwood Neighborhood Library in NE
- Friday (2/13) at 3:30 pm | Valentine Creation Station at Benning Neighborhood Library
- Saturday (2/14) at 9:30 am | Little Critters: Nature Play at the Bird House (For the Love of Lichens) at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
- Learn how fungi and lichens are an important part of nature. There’s also a Tuesday (2/17) and a Thursday (2/19) program too.
- Saturday (2/14) at 10:00 am | The Story of Chocolate at the National Museum of the American Indian
- Visitors can watch as Executive Chef Alex Strong of the museum’s own Mitsitam Cafe shows how she makes some tasty chocolate treats, enjoy performances by dance group Danza Tecuanis, and follow the path from blossom to beverage with an interactive presentation, and make and take a bookmark to remember the day!
- Saturday (2/14) at 11:15 am | GOAT Family Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse DC ($) ♥
- Sunday (2/14) at 2:00 pm | Disney’s Lady and the Tramp at The Miracle Theatre in SE ($)
- There’s also a 4:00 pm showing too!
Maryland Events
Prince George’s County
- Tuesday (2/10) at 1:00 pm | Dance Party: Love Bug Boogie at Upper Marlboro Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- Tuesday (2/10) at 4:00 pm | Craft and Create: Valentine Craft at Hillcrest Heights Library
- With step-by-step guidance, you’ll create something unique and have fun along the way.
- Tuesday (2/10) at 4:30 pm | Movie and a Craft: The Peanuts Movie at Greenbelt Library ♣
- Make Valentine’s Day crafts and enjoy light refreshments while watching a free screening of “The Peanuts Movie.”
- Tuesday (2/10) at 6:00 pm | Kids Create: Valentine’s Day Cards Using a Cricut at Fairmount Heights Library
- Craft, cut, create! Design and cut custom Valentine’s Day cards with precision using Cricut Explore 3 and Cricut Design Space.
- Thursday (2/12) at 4:00 pm | STEM Fun: Light Up Circuit Valentines at Spauldings Library in District Heights ♥
- Saturday (2/14) at 10:00 am | I Heart Zumba at Fairland Sports & Aquatics Complex in Laurel (Best for ages 6+)
- This class brings together all members of your family for fun and easy-to-follow dance moves to upbeat music!
- Saturday (2/14) at 11:00 am | Pages of History: A Vintage Black Magazine Exhibit at Oxon Hill Library ♥
- Celebrate Black History Month by exploring decades of photography, fashion, and stories that shaped Black culture.
- Saturday (2/14) at 11:00 am | Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Cupcake Class at Mixt Food Hall in Brentwood ($) (Best for ages 6-10) ♥
- Bake it, frost it, and love it! In this hands-on from-scratch baking class, kids will mix and bake their own cupcakes before decorating them with soft pink swirled frosting and adorable heart-shaped accents inspired by classic Valentine treats.
- Saturday (2/14) at 1:00 pm | Unshrink My Heart at Brentwood Arts Exchange in Brentwood
- Make Shrinky Dink charms and keepsakes! Watch your designs magically shrink into mini masterpieces—perfect for jewelry, keychains, or heartfelt gifts.
- Saturday (2/14) at 1:30 pm | Legos: Building with Heart and Friends at Oxon Hill Library
- Saturday (2/14) at 3:00 pm | Sip and Paint: Conversation Hearts at Glenarden Library (Best for ages 5+)
- Monday (2/16) at 10:30 am | Storytime on Screen featuring Ruth Forman at Greenbelt Cinema ♥
- Children’s author, Ruth Forman will read her newest book “Do I Love You? Yes, I Do! at our “Love” themed storytime!
Montgomery County
- Friday (2/6) at 5:30 pm | Valentine’s Day Family Ice Skating Night at White Oak Community Recreation Center
- Saturday (2/7) at 3:00 pm | Valentine’s Day Crafternoon at White Oak Library
- Monday (2/9) at 1:00 pm | Crafts at the Library: Make Valentine’s Day Cards at Chevy Chase Library
- Wednesday (2/11) – Friday (2/13) at 3:00 pm | Valentine’s Cards for the Animals at Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville
- Show the animal ambassadors a little love this Valentine’s Day by writing them a card!
- Saturday (2/14) at 9:00 am | Pinstripes Kids Club at Pinstripes Bethesda ($)
- Cookie decorating & Valentine’s card crafting
- Saturday (2/14) at 10:30 am | Valentine’s Day Craft at Rockville Memorial Library
- Make a Love Bug and decorate a Wooden Heart with your creativity!
- Saturday (2/14) at 1:00 pm | Crafts at the Library: Make Valentine’s Day Cards at Chevy Chase Library
- Sunday (2/15) at 3:00 pm | Valentine’s Day Family Dance at Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center ($)
- Saturday (2/21) at 1:00 pm | Create a “Stained-Glass” Style Heart! presented by Wheaton Arts Parade at Wheaton Library (Best for ages 4-10)
More Maryland Events
- Thursday (2/12) at 6:00 pm | Conversation HeART at Potomac Branch Library in Indian Head ♥
- Participants will get a chance to create art using classic conversation hearts! Your imagination is the limit with these fun crafts.
- Friday (2/13) at 6:30 pm | Valentine Cookie Decorating Class & Milkshakes at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar Old Ellicott City ($)
- Saturday (2/14) at 11:00 am | February’s Finger-Paint Party at sweetFrog Laurel ($)
- February’s masterpiece is right on theme, with a heart painted by your little frogger for Valentine’s Day.
- Saturday (2/14) at 2:00 pm | Sweethearts & Sprinkles Cupcake Decorating Workshop at 5-12 Dessert in Waldorf ($) ♥
- A fun, festive, hands-on cupcake decorating experience designed especially for little Valentines.
- Saturday (2/14) at 2:00 pm | The Clever Crafter ~ Heart Critters at Potomac Branch Library in Indian Head
Northern Virginia Events
Arlington County
- Thursday (2/5) at 4:00 pm | Kids Club at Cherrydale Library: Valentine’s Day
- Saturday (2/7) at 2:00 pm | Won’t You Be My Owlentine? at Potomac Overlook Regional Park ($) (Best for ages 6+) ♥
- See live raptors, learn about their mating habits during breeding season, and get your picture taken with a live bird of prey!
- Tuesday (2/10) at 3:30 pm | Crafty Kids: Tuesday Paper Crafts at Glencarlyn Library: Valentine’s Day
- Friday (2/13) & Saturday (2/14) at 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm & 5:00 pm | Fake Cake Decorating – Valentine’s Day Edition at Dov & Company ♥
- Saturday (2/14) at 11:30 am | GOAT Family Party at Alamo Drafthouse Crystal City ($) ♥
- Saturday (2/14) at 1:00 pm | A Valentine’s Day Campfire at Fort CF Smith Park ($)
City of Alexandria
- Saturday (2/7) at 10:00 am | Conversation Heart Inspired Cake Pop Studio Class at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 4-8) ♥
- Saturday (2/7) at 11:00 am | Cool Creations featuring Wikki Stix ~ Lots of Love! Card at Lakeshore Learning (Best for ages 3+)
- Sunday (2/8) at 1:30 pm | Valentine Card Extravaganza! at Beatley Central Library
- Monday (2/9) – Friday (2/13) at 10:00 am | Valentine Card Make and Take at Beatley Central Library
- Saturday (2/14) at 10:00 am | Sweetheart Cupcake Bouquet Decorating Studio Class at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 4-8) ♥
- Saturday (2/14) at 12:00 pm | Happy Valentine’s! Family Friendly Wood + Canvas + Textured Art Workshop at AR Workshop ($)
- Saturday (2/14) at 12:00 pm | Family Fun – Nature Folklore at Green Spring Gardens ($) (Best for ages 8+)
- Enjoy heartwarming stories about kindness, friendship and togetherness, then collaborate to craft your own nature-inspired tale to take home.
More Virginia Events
- Saturday (2/14) at 2:00 pm | Valentine Tea at Falls Church Community Center ($) ♥
- Bring someone special to tea at the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse. A costumed interpreter will host this holiday themes tea.
- Saturday (2/14) at 4:00 pm | Valentine’s Stargazing Stroll at Lake Accotink in Springfield ($)
- This enchanting evening stroll combines astronomy education with Valentine’s Day Magic. Includes hot cocoa and Valentine’s treats.
Tween & Teen Events
Washington, DC
- Wednesday (2/11) at 4:30 pm | Teen Valentine’s Day Card Making and Trivia at MLK Memorial Library
- Thursday (2/12) at 6:15 pm | Nevermind Valentine! A Celebration of Self at Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library in NW (Best for ages 13-19) ♥
- Who needs Cupid anyway? Ditch the drippy drama and join us for the ultimate Anti-Valentine’s Day Bash! Featuring: The Franken-Friend Lab
- Friday (2/13) at 3:30 pm | Valentine’s Day Party for Teens at MLK Memorial Library ♥
- Get your fortune told by a tarot reading, find your next read by going on a blind date with a book, and write a Valentine’s Day card to a special person in your life.
- Friday (2/13) at 6:00 pm | Africa, with Love at the National Museum of African Art
- Includes performances & art making!
- Saturday (2/14) at 2:30 pm | Teen Studio: Will You by my Valentine? at Hirshhorn Museum
- Start with a scavenger hunt, searching for love in the Hirshhorn’s collection. Then make valentines for our loved ones!
Maryland
- Monday (2/9) at 3:30 pm | Sing Your Heart Out! at Davis Library in Bethesda (Best for tweens & teens)
- Monday (2/9) at 5:00 pm | Teen Time – Say It with a Pin for Valentine’s Day! at Wheaton Library ♥
- Make buttons! Choose to press from our already designed templates or create your own.
- Tuesday (2/10) at 5:00 pm | Valentine’s Day Cookie Decoration at Marilyn J. Praisner in Burtonsville (Best for tweens & teens)
- Wednesday (2/11) at 4:00 pm | Teen Lounge: Valentine’s Day Crafts at Rockville Library ♥
- Saturday (2/14) at 10:30 am | I Heart Yoga at Langley Park Community Center (Best for ages 13+)
- Learn basic yoga to improve health and flexibility through deep breathing and controlled stretching. Reduce stress, get better sleep, and build muscle stamina as you practice new or previously learned yoga skills.
- Saturday (2/14) at 2:00 pm | Karaoke: Black Heart Beats at Upper Marlboro Library (Best for teens & adults) ♥
- Whether performing solo, as a duet, or in a group, celebrate Black love through the power of music.
Virginia
- Wednesday (2/4) at 6:30 pm | Make It Wednesday: Quilled Valentine’s Day Cards at Columbia Pike Library in Arlington (Best for teens in grade 9+ & adults)
- Saturday (2/7) at 1:00 pm | Conversation Heart Inspired Cake Pop Studio Class at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 9-14)
- Monday (2/9) at 10:00 am | Teen Take and Make: 3D Heart Valentine’s Day Cards at Columbia Pike ♥
- Wednesday (2/11) at 3:30 pm | The Valentine Village Project at Westover Library in Arlington (Best for grades 6-12) ♥
- Decorate a paper house or local business to add to our February Valentine display.
- Thursday (2/12) at 4:30 pm | Teen Maker Event: Valentine’s Day Jewelry-Making Workshop at Shirlington Library in Arlington (Best for grades 6-12) ♥
- Drop in bracelet and card making event where you can create one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones.
- Saturday (2/14) at 1:00 pm | Sweetheart Cupcake Bouquet Decorating Studio Class at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 9-14)
Self-Care Options for Kids & Teens
Looking for a non-traditional Valentine’s Day idea? Family-friendly spa and wellness experiences offer a relaxing way to celebrate and can be enjoyed year-round. With that being said, here are some of our favorites:
Salt on Main Wellness Center in Laurel, MD
Enjoy a relaxing morning or afternoon in PG County’s first dry salt therapy center. Pro tip: call in advance and mention you’re bringing kids, they may be able to schedule a private salt cave session.Unique and Special Kids Spa in Alexandria, VA
Offers spa services like facials, massages and manicures for kids & custom parties for ages 3-16! Pro Tip: there’s an adult spa, Silk Rose, located right down the hall!Princess Parlor Kids Spa in Lanham, MD
Luxury Kids Spa offering spa packages that include facials + manicures/pedicures & parties!
V-Day at Home Learning
You know I love a great PBS KIDS resource especially for at-home learning tied to special holidays. Valentine’s Day is a perfect moment to explore themes of kindness, friendship, and love with kids of all ages. Here are a few easy, no-prep resources to check out:
PBS KIDS Celebrates Valentine’s Day
Watch full episodes, short clips, and behind-the-scenes content from favorite PBS KIDS shows, all centered around Valentine’s Day.Happy Valentine’s Day (PBS KIDS for Parents)
A parent-friendly collection featuring conversation starters, previously published articles, and downloadable activities to help extend learning beyond the screen.PBS Learning Media | Valentine’s Day
Best for older kids and teens, this resource explores the history and legends of St. Valentine through short videos, paired with discussion questions and enrichment activities.
Valentine’s Day is just one small moment in a season full of opportunities to connect. From cozy days at home to winter outings around the DMV, there’s so much to enjoy together. Explore our Winter Activities in the DC Metro Area guide for more family-friendly inspiration.